Rick Egged
President of Waikiki Improvement Association
Aloha, welcome to Waikiki!
Summer is peak beach season for Waikiki, and there are fun activities for those of every age. Snorkeling, sailing, parasailing, body boarding, catamaran and outrigger rides… the opportunities for excitement abound. As the sun sets, there are sunset cruises, restaurants, clubs and one of the best arrays of shopping in the world!
There are also exciting ocean-related events. Waikiki, the traditional home of surfing, features two highly regarded surf contests, Honolulu Fish Fry Surf Contest July 13 & 14, and the China Uemura 29th Annual Longboard Surfing Classic on July 25-28 both at Kuhio Beach.
The Tinman Triathlon on July 28 at Queens Beach was inspired by the Ironman Triathlon on the Big Island. The Tinman Triathlon was started by four guys who wanted to experience doing a triathlon but could not spend months of full-time training, thus the race and the non-profit Tinman Unlimited were established. The Tinman challenges and inspires all participants by offering safety, fun and pride. It is not meant to be an “elite” race but a triathlon for every interested athlete.
Every summer, Waikiki honors the legacy of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, who is remembered as the greatest waterman who ever lived and Hawai‘i’s Ambassador of Aloha. Duke’s OceanFest is held from Saturday, August 17, through Sunday August 25. The nine-day event features a variety of ocean sports that were close to Duke Kahanamoku’s heart: longboard surfing, paddleboard racing, swimming, tandem surfing, surf polo, beach volleyball, stand-up paddling and other events. The festivities commence on August 17, with a lei-draping and ceremony at Duke’s statue that is open to the public. Duke’s birthday celebration is on August 24th and is one of many of the week’s highlights; which also include the KINE Luau, Waterman’s Awards, and much more. A special feature this year is the unveiling of the republished, handmade The Surf Riders of Hawaii, the first known book on surfing. The book includes a Lord Byron poem and eight photos of early surfing at Waikiki, including one of the earliest known surfing images of Duke Kahanamoku.
There’s a lot to do and see in Waikiki.
